While the NBA lottery has yet to even happen, mock drafts are coming out in plenty making predictions of where top teams will go. The New York Knicks are guaranteed a top five draft pick as team president Phil Jackson is hopeful it falls into the top four. In a press conference with season ticket holders, Jackson hinted that the Knicks will draft defense if the pick is in the top four or make a trade if it falls to No. 5. Carmelo Anthony is expected to be consulted about the team's draft moves which is why hanging out with rookies is getting so much attention.
According to ESPNNewYork.com, Anthony was seen hanging out with 2015 lottery pick Justise Winslow at a New York Yankees game over the weekend. While this was likely just a mere coincidence, Knicks fans would certainly not mind seeing that pairing on the court together next season. Winslow is expected to go in the top five picks while ESPN NBA Analyst Chad Ford predicts the Knicks will draft either Winslow, Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns. Jackson has hinted he likes the latter two options.
Anthony would certainly not mind any of those three players coming to New York. The start recently spoke out saying he does not want the Knicks to draft a point guard with the intentions of them being the starter. The Knicks need an elite point guard on the court as Jose Calderon simply did not get the job done. Anthony likes the idea of a veteran in that position rather than a rookie.
"I think with younger point guards now coming out of college, that position is a little tougher to come in and be effective right away," Anthony said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "The guards in this league that we have right now is out of this world. They're at the top of their game right now. It's kind of every team, every night, day in and day out so you have to be physically ready for that and mentally ready for that. So I think from that position it's a little more of a learning curve than it is at any other position. Not saying that the guards that's coming out this year can't come in and be effective and be ready but that's the toughest position right now in our NBA so it will be a little bit of a learning curve."
According to the New York Post, the Knicks are favored to land either Rajon Rondo or Goran Dragic in free agency. Jackson likes the idea of drafting defense to help replace stars like Tyson Chandler while players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe and Paul Millsap will also be courted by the team.